What happened to my extended warranty?

Dear Driving for Dollars,
I purchased a used car last year and also bought a one-year extended warranty at the same time. I've had problems with the car from the start and, every time I've been to the dealership where I bought the car, the customer service has been terrible. So I decided I wouldn't take the car back there again.

Now, I just had another problem and I brought the car to a new, reputable place for the repair. They tell me my extended warranty does not exist and I have to pay for the repair. They said that they contacted the warranty company and that they think the dealership that sold me the extended warranty never filed the paperwork. What do I do?
-- Marina

Dear Marina,
Wow, it sounds like someone is being dishonest here. Start by calling the extended warranty company yourself and speaking with them about the issue. Have any paperwork, such as your receipt or warranty contract, in your hands when you make the call. From this call, you should be able to determine which company is being dishonest.

Next, request a refund from the dishonest company in writing and give it a reasonable deadline to send you a check. If the company doesn't respond, contact the attorney general's office for your state and file a complaint against it. The attorney general's office should be able to help you without you having to hire an attorney, though it may take awhile. Many states have a backlog of complaints they are clearing.

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